Milou Trouwborst's refined, simplistic and melancholic illustrations

The work of illustrator and artist Milou Trouwborst is refined in it’s simplicity. Her thoughtful colour palette, light brushstrokes, and melancholic personality that runs through the work is a unique combination.

One particular project of the Dutch artist that encompasses all of her illustrational entities is Dit is (g)een verhaal which translates as This is (not) a story. A concept inspired by the idea of encouraging an audience to conceptualise their own tale from her illustrations, “it’s based on the notion that the information which we record is interpreted by everyone in a different way, and is formed into a story”, Milou explains. Therefore, the result of the publication is the formation of “a consciously or unconscious story an unknown.”

The detail of Milou’s work is instantly noticeable, as textured painted walls contrast against patterns of clothing and interiors. The illustrator balances monochrome sketches against painted counterparts in one image, combining the two approaches with ease. Her drawings of facial expressions depict mood with characters consistently represented on their own, displaying a calm solitude. Each piece encourages the audience to spend time evaluating its process, “with this work I want you to think about this very way of perceiving and judging.”